Royal Challengers Bangalore(RCB) is one of the three teams who haven’t won the IPL even once since the start of the league. They have reached the Finals on three occasions but on all three of them, they failed to cross the hurdle. One of the main reasons for their lack of consistency is the constant chopping and changing which they do. They not only change their playing XI but also keep changing their squads every year.
Many times, they have released players who go on to perform well for other teams. They have released players which they shouldn’t have and as a result struggled in the biggest T20 tournament. So, let’s have a look at five players RCB shouldn’t have released.
5. Shane Watson
RCB had bought Shane Watson before the 2016 season for a huge price. He had performed well in that season and RCB had even reached the final. IPL 2017 was a disaster for RCB as nothing clicked for them and they finished last on the points table. In the 2018 Auction, RCB had the option of using the RTM card for Shane Watson but they choose against it.
Shane Watson turned out to be the match-winner for CSK in 2018 as he single-handedly won them the final. He almost did again in 2019 and he is having a decent 2020 as well. RCB could have stuck with him as he could have delivered for them at least in 2018, if not in 2019 and 2020.
4. Shimron Hetmyer
Shimron Hetmyer was picked up by RCB in the 2019 Auction for a decent price. He was asked to bat at various positions and as a result, he didn’t get into his rhythm and he was dropped after 4 games. He was picked in the last league game where he scored 70 odd runs against a strong SRH bowling line up.
Despite his good performance in the last game, RCB released him ahead of the 2020 auction. Delhi Capitals picked him in the auction and he is currently performing well for them. RCB could have stuck with him for one more year and then make a decision on him.
3. Marcus Stoinis
Marcus Stoinis’ case is pretty similar to Shimron Hetmyer. The only difference is that they had got him on trade from KXIP. He played one season for them and was on and off with his performances. He was released ahead of this year’s auction and just like Hetmyer, Delhi Capitals picked him.
Coincidentally, Marcus Stoinis has fired against Kings XI Punjab and Royal Challengers Bangalore his previous two teams who didn’t retain him. He is playing the role of a finisher and is offering something with the ball as well. RCB might look back at this decision and say that they could have retained the Australian all-rounder.
2. Quinton De Kock
RCB had bought Quinton De Kock in the 2018 Auction for a fairly low price. We all know how good a player De Kock is, especially when he is on song. But RCB didn’t use him well. He was in and out of the team and as a result, couldn’t perform at the level he was expected to. RCB traded him to MI ahead of the 2019 Auction and we all saw how the move worked wonders for MI.
QDK was their leading run-scorer in the last season which Mumbai Indians won. Even in this season, he is doing well which might hurt some RCB fans when they realize that they had the opportunity of sticking with a quality international wicket-keeper.
1. KL Rahul
Just imagine the fact that KL Rahul would have opened the batting with Devdutt Padikkal with Virat Kohli and AB De Villiers to follow. It could have been the best Top four of the competition but RCB thinks differently. In the 2018 auction, RCB had the choice of using the RTM card for KL Rahul but because he was sold at a huge price of 11 CR, they opted against it.
KL Rahul is not only one of the top T20 openers at the moment but he also would have solved the problem of a wicket-keeper. KL Rahul is the only batsman to have scored more than 500 runs in 2018 and 2019 and the way he is going he might cross 500 this season as well. RCB has definitely missed a trick by not using the RTM card for KL Rahul.
